Chapter 1

My husband has a low sperm count. After years of struggle, I finally managed to conceive. I was just days away from my due date.

But then, my husband demanded I go to the lab in place of his childhood sweetheart. He claimed her child was sick and she needed to be away.

I repeatedly warned him that it was a radiation lab. Exposure would cause irreversible damage to me and our unborn baby.

Quentin just told me I was being dramatic.

"Cecily has been working in that lab with her child for a long time, and she never complained once," he snapped.

"I'm only asking you to help out for one night. Why do you have so many excuses?"

I fought back with everything I had, but he still dragged me there and locked me inside.

That night, a radioactive leak occurred. I was trapped, with no way to escape the invisible poison.

No one came to my rescue. My baby and I died together in that cold, silent room.

But then, I opened my eyes. I was back on the day Quentin asked me to replace his precious Cecily at the lab.

This time, I ran. And this time, Quentin was the one who lost his mind.

1.

"Sienna, it's just for one night."

"Cecily's daughter is critically ill. If she doesn't get to the hospital now, it'll be too late!"

"Just push through it. As soon as the kid is stable, I'll come and get you!"

Quentin's voice echoed from outside the door. I opened my eyes and realized I was already standing inside the lab.

My belly was heavy and round. That little life, the one who shared my heartbeat, was still alive inside me.

Tears nearly spilled from my eyes.

In my past life, Cecily Brooks and I worked at the same research facility.

Once I got pregnant, I quit my job early to focus on the baby. Since Quentin's fertility was so low, this child was a miracle we never thought we'd see.

I took perfect care of myself, making it all the way to the third trimester. I was so close to the finish line.

Then Quentin showed up, claiming Cecily's daughter had a sudden emergency. He demanded I take her shift.

I refused him flatly.

The lab was full of radioactive materials. My baby was about to be born, and I wasn't going to gamble with his life.

Quentin flew into a rage, accusing me of being selfish and heartless.

He forcibly dragged me to the lab and turned the heavy lock from the outside.

That night, the power failed, and the containment systems leaked.

I screamed for help until my throat was raw, but I was left to suffocate in that radioactive tomb.

Even my fully formed baby didn't stand a chance.

Meanwhile, Cecily used her child to move into my house. She married Quentin and lived a life of bliss while I was a memory.

Recalling the agony of my past life, my fists clenched tight.

I didn't waste my breath begging Quentin this time. Instead, I reached for my phone.

Quentin, hearing no response, seemed a bit surprised. He reached for the handle, perhaps worried, but Cecily pulled him back.

"Quentin, the hospital just called. Little Molly isn't doing well."

"You know she's my whole world. If anything happens to her, I won't want to live anymore!"

In my previous life, those were the exact words she used to lure him away.

In this life, Cecily was still his top priority.

The moment he heard her cry, Quentin grabbed her hand. All his concern for me vanished as he comforted her.

"Don't say that, Cecily. We're going to the hospital right now."

"Molly is going to make it!"

The sound of their footsteps faded down the hallway.

My heart sank into my stomach.

After the lessons of my last life, I had zero expectations for Quentin.

But I hadn't realized how far he would go. To ensure I stayed put, he had swiped my phone while I wasn't looking!

The lab was in a remote area. Without a phone, I had no way to contact the outside world.

Then, I heard the heavy thud of the deadbolt sliding into place. My heart leaped into my throat.

Last time, the power cut out exactly ten minutes after that sound.

Then the leak started. I had collapsed almost instantly after inhaling the toxic gas.

The phantom pain of losing my child flared up. I couldn't waste a second. I sprinted toward the emergency comms station.